Reviewed · CRETE TOURS

Troy Dinner-Show

★ 5.0 · 103 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $42 Operated by Alar dinner-show · Bookable on Viator
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Troy Dinner-Show turns the Trojan War into a lively stage contest where your phone can help decide what happens next. I like the interactive voting and the mix of singing, dancing, acrobatics, and aerial work. I also like that the story gives families a playful way to meet Greek mythology rather than sitting through a dry lecture.

The main caution is the food service. Many diners enjoy the meal, including the vegetarian choices, but one poorly handled evening included cold dishes, delayed courses, and weak communication about allergies. The show is the star here, so book it for the performance first and dinner second.

Key points to know before booking

  • Greek myths become a team game: You help choose between the Greeks and Trojans using a phone-based activity.
  • The strongest acts are physical: Acrobats and aerial performers bring much of the evening’s excitement.
  • Troy is the family show: It is designed for children and adults together, not as a quiet historical drama.
  • Plan around the timetable: Doors open at 7 p.m., dinner begins at 7:30 p.m., and the main show starts at 8:30 p.m.
  • Pickup covers a wide area: Transfers can be arranged from Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and several nearby resorts.
  • The meal is not fully consistent: Food can be very good, but allergy communication and serving temperatures deserve attention.

Greek mythology with a vote at the table

Troy Dinner-Show - Greek mythology with a vote at the table

The central idea is simple and clever. The Greeks and Trojans face off, and the audience gets chances to influence the action. Instead of watching a fixed stage story from a distance, you take part in the outcome.

A QR code connects you to a custom phone app. Through it, you can vote, play, and make choices during parts of the performance. This detail matters because it changes the evening from a standard dinner theater show into something closer to a group game with costumes and stage spectacle.

You do not need to arrive as a mythology expert. The show uses the battle between the Greeks and Trojans as its frame, but it also includes variety acts, music, comedy, and audience interaction. If you want a careful account of Homer, this is not the right format. If you want an entertaining introduction to the subject, it works better.

The story can feel loose at times. One evening was judged confusing because the acts did not always connect clearly, and the acrobatics seemed separate from the main plot. I would set your expectations accordingly: think theatrical variety show with a Trojan War theme, not a traditional play with a tightly developed script.

A few other Heraklion mornings to price up

What happens from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Troy Dinner-Show - What happens from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The experience lasts about three hours. The published schedule gives the evening a useful shape:

  • Doors open at 7 p.m.
  • Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m.
  • The main show starts at 8:30 p.m.

That means you should not arrive expecting the headline performance to begin as soon as you sit down. The first part includes the meal, a pre-show, and an introduction to the characters. This slower start gives families time to settle in, order drinks, and get familiar with the setup.

The exact end time is not provided, but a three-hour duration places the finish around 10 p.m. If you are using the return transfer, allow a little patience after the curtain call. One account described a wait of about 10 minutes before departure, followed by a direct ride to the hotel.

The schedule also helps with family planning. Children may be ready for the main event by 8:30 p.m., but younger ones may find the full evening long. Couples should also know that Troy is intended for families. Adults can certainly enjoy it, but this is not the more grown-up Alar production.

Inside Alar Dinner-Show Theatre

The venue is a purpose-built theater with about 300 seats, a large screen, and a stage that reaches out into the audience. That stage design helps the performers feel close, especially during the interactive sections.

The entrance arrangement may be less comfortable. The doors open at 7 p.m., and you may find yourself waiting outside on a paved area without shade or seats if you arrive early. In Crete’s warm weather, arriving exactly at opening time may be easier than standing around beforehand.

The atmosphere depends partly on how full the theater is. A quieter night can mean better seats or an upgrade, but it may also make the dinner period feel less lively. A full room should add energy to the voting and group challenges, though the venue’s actual crowd size varies.

The staff receive plenty of praise for being friendly and welcoming. The owner and hostess are described as especially gracious, and the performers engage directly with the audience. That personal contact is a major part of the appeal. This is not a formal concert where you are expected to sit silently.

The performance: acrobatics, music, and audience choices

Troy Dinner-Show - The performance: acrobatics, music, and audience choices

The cast includes international performers, with singing, dancing, acrobatics, and aerial work among the main attractions. The acrobatic acts receive the most consistent praise, and the aerial performers provide the biggest visual lift of the night.

Athena is a favorite character for some children, while the mix of music and physical theater keeps the action moving. You can expect a broad range of acts rather than one long dramatic scene. Some parts may feel like musical theater, others like circus performance, and others like a crowd game.

The interactive elements are not just decoration. If you scan the QR code and use the app, you can take part in votes and activities that affect the direction of selected contests. I would make a point of doing this early. If you miss the instructions, the show may feel more passive and the story may be harder to follow.

The message at the end also gives the show a little more purpose than simple spectacle. The exact message is not specified, but it has been warmly received. Still, keep the tone in mind: this is playful entertainment, not a serious reconstruction of the Trojan War.

Same island, an entirely different sort of day:

Dinner and drinks: the uneven part of the evening

Troy Dinner-Show - Dinner and drinks: the uneven part of the evening

The meal is included with the dinner-show package, and it is described in several different ways. Some diners call it excellent or unbelievable, while others find it bland or poorly timed. The fairest conclusion is that the food can be good, but service consistency is not guaranteed.

Vegetarian and vegan diners have received particularly positive treatment in some accounts. One family found the vegan food very good, while another described a vegetable dish filled with plain rice as uninspired. That contrast suggests you should communicate dietary needs clearly and repeat them to the staff when you arrive.

Allergies deserve extra care. The kitchen may be able to prepare safe food, but communication between the booking team, kitchen, and table staff has not always been smooth. If you have a serious allergy, tell the provider when booking, then speak directly with a manager or server before eating. Do not rely only on a note attached to the reservation.

Timing has also been uneven. Cold children’s meals, a cold vegan moussaka, and a main course arriving around 20 minutes after the rest of the table made one evening frustrating. That appears to be an exception rather than the normal pattern, but it is a real risk when dinner and theater are combined.

Drinks are extra unless your booking includes a drink package. The available information says drink prices are reasonable, and one package included drinks plus a small bowl of popcorn. Check exactly what your selected option includes before you book.

Is the $42.33 price good value?

Troy Dinner-Show - Is the $42.33 price good value?

At $42.33 per person, the value depends on what you want from the night. You are paying for a roughly three-hour outing, a theater performance, audience activities, and dinner. If you also need transport, the transfer option adds convenience and can make the total more attractive than arranging separate taxis for a family.

The price may feel high if you compare it with a simple meal, a boat outing, or a short stage performance. It makes more sense if you treat it as a full evening of entertainment. The large theater, specialist performers, acrobatics, aerial work, and included meal account for more than the food alone.

I would not choose this experience as a bargain meal. I would choose it when you want a planned evening that keeps children involved and does not require you to organize several separate activities.

The transfer area is broad. Optional pickup is available from Malia, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Sissi, Karteros, Heraklion, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Milatos, and Fodele.

If you select a transfer package, provide your pickup location. The exact place and time are sent the day before. Without a transfer, go directly to Alar Dinner-Show Theatre. Since return departures can involve a short wait, do not schedule a tight late-night connection afterward.

Who will enjoy Troy most?

Families with school-age children are the clearest match. The show offers movement, music, colorful characters, and a chance to vote. Children who enjoy acrobatics, fantasy, or making choices will have more to do than they would at a conventional stage performance.

It can also suit adults who enjoy Greek mythology and do not mind a broad, playful treatment. Couples are welcome, but you should know that the tone is family-friendly. One adult couple left early after expecting something more suited to grown-ups. That is less a fault with the show than a mismatch between the product and their expectations.

The production may also work for mixed-age groups. Grandparents, parents, and children can share the same evening without needing specialist knowledge. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

You may want to skip it if your priority is serious theater, a historically precise account of Troy, or a refined dinner with perfectly timed courses. You may also prefer another activity if you dislike audience participation or using your phone during a performance.

Booking and cancellation details

Troy Dinner-Show - Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is available on your mobile device. The experience is generally booked about 23 days ahead, which is a useful guide for planning. If this is a key family night, reserving before your trip is sensible.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

The experience requires a minimum number of participants. If the provider cancels because that minimum is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book Troy Dinner-Show?

Book it if you want a cheerful family night built around Greek mythology, acrobatics, and audience participation. The strongest reasons to go are the talented physical performers, the phone-based voting, the purpose-built theater, and the way the format gives children an active role.

Go with realistic dinner expectations. The meal may be very good, but it is the least dependable part of the package, particularly for allergy communication and serving times. Tell the staff about dietary needs in person, and do not plan a rushed journey immediately after the show.

For couples, read the description carefully and choose Troy only if a family-friendly production sounds appealing. If you want a more adult evening, Alar’s other production, Spectacular, may be a better match, though its availability is not specified here.

At $42.33 per person, this is a reasonable full-evening choice for families who value entertainment over a bargain meal. If that sounds like your kind of Crete night, Troy is worth booking.

FAQ

Where does the Troy Dinner-Show take place?

It takes place at Alar Dinner-Show Theatre in the Heraklion area of Crete.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the evening begin?

Doors open at 7 p.m. Dinner starts at 7:30 p.m., and the main show begins at 8:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional transfers are available from Heraklion and several nearby towns and resort areas, including Malia, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Fodele.

What happens if I choose the transfer option?

You must provide your pickup place. The exact pickup time and location are sent the day before the experience.

Is the show suitable for children?

Yes. Troy is described as a family-friendly show designed for children and adults together.

Is dinner included?

Dinner is included with the dinner-show option. Drinks may depend on the package you select.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.

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